Activated factor XII in rheumatoid arthritis

Abstract

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is associated with premature mortality, with approximately 50% of deaths being due to cardiovascular disease. It has been shown that the increased incidence of cardiovascular disease is independent of traditional risk factors. Previous studies have shown an increased risk of coronary heart disease with increased levels of activated factor XII (FXIIa). The aim of this study was to investigate levels of FXIIa in patients with RA. We studied 32 patients with RA and 30 age- and sex-matched control subjects. We found FXIIa levels significantly increased in the patient group, with 56% of the patients and 6.7% of controls having levels greater than or equal to 2 ng/ml. A previous study has shown that individuals with levels of 2 ng/ml or more have an increased risk of coronary heart disease. Measurement of FXIIa could perhaps help to identify an 'at risk' group of patients, allowing early intervention therapy.

Investigation of Inflammatory and Hemostatic Parameters in Female Patients Undergoing Total Knee Arthroplasty Surgery

“…Presence of FXII: C may be a useful marker of synovium and cartilage damage in inflamed synovia. These observations could support the hypothesis that the contact system plays an important role in the inflammatory reactions in arthritis [49,50]. Based on the results of this study, we suppose that, consistent cartilage degredation may activate FXII:C like ureate crystals in gouty arthritis [52].…”

“…The activated prekallikrein (kallikrein) enhances the rate of FXIIa formation by reciprocal activation [48]. McLaren et al [49] found plasma FXIIa to be significantly elevated in patients with RA. It has been shown that FXII may be activated on the surface of endothelial cells [50].…”

The role of endothelial function and its assessment in rheumatoid arthritis

“…94 we have also reported that vascular function improves in patients who respond to therapy with anti-tnF agents or DmarDs, which suggests that, in the microcirculation at least, a reduction in inflammation, rather than choice of treatment per se, can be beneficial. 95 surrogate serological markers of cardiovascular risk such as coagulation abnormalities are more common or more pronounced in ra patients than in healthy controls, 96,97 as are markers of endothelial function or activation, or both. levels of e-selectin have been found to be elevated in ra, and seem to correlate with disease activity and improve after successful anti-inflammatory treatment.…”

Rheumatoid arthritis and venous thromboembolic events

“…[19] было показано, что у пациентов с РА выявляется повышен-ный уровень ТФ в плазме, особенно при высокой активно-сти болезни. Кроме того, при РА отмечено повышение уровня в плазме таких факторов свертывания крови, как фибриноген, фактор фон Виллебранда, VIII фактор, акти-вированный XIIа фактор, фрагменты протромбина и ком-плексы тромбин-антитромбин [20][21][22][23][24]. Во время воспале-ния эндотелиальные клетки теряют свои антитромботиче-ские свойства в связи с более интенсивной экспрессией ад-гезивных молекул и ТФ, при этом экспрессия оксида азота и тромбомодулина, напротив, снижается [19].…”